ComVec 2018 - hits all the right notes

Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia’s biennial engineering conference, ComVec 2018, held in Melbourne last week, has been hailed a success.

HVIA President Nathan Usher says that delegates enjoyed two days of productive and insightful discussion.

“ComVec has always been a unique opportunity for heavy vehicle industry Engineers to get together and look at issues and opportunities that are on the table, on the horizon and even beyond, and this year’s program certainly did all of those things,” Mr Usher said.

“We were delighted and grateful with the many newcomers who joined a host of industry stalwarts in attendance, both as speakers and as delegates, all taking the time away from their busy schedules to participate in ComVec.”

The star of the show was undoubtedly Ian Wight, co-founder of Tesla, and more recently of the groundbreaking Wrightspeed, all the way from San Francisco.

“At a time when our industry is pushing farther, faster towards long-term solutions to our productivity energy needs, Ian is one of the real pioneers,” Mr Usher said.

“Perhaps the most unexpected highlight from a world leader in EV development, was his very pragmatic forecast that the fifteen-litre diesel is set to dominate our highways for the foreseeable future.

"We also heard a distinctly more conservative view on the adoption of fully autonomous vehicles that resonated across many sessions during the conference.

“While there’s no doubt that attendees will continue to talk about Ian’s fabulous presentation, the conference was filled with great content.”

“Without exception our speakers and panelists were respected industry experts in their fields and each presentation and discussion added tremendous value to the event.

“I’d particularly like to acknowledge industry regulatory leaders Paul Retter (NTC), Sal Petroccitto (NHCR) and Alex Foulds (DIRDC) for joining our CEO Todd Hacking to look at the key things on their workplans and their wishlists.

“There are too many contributors to thank individually, however I can’t ignore the invaluable sponsorship we received from MOVE People Driven Banking, which included hosting our other wonderful special guest, CILTA Young Professional of the Year, Urszula Kelly.

“Urszula, as well as current Craig Roseneder Award winner Mark Collins and the ATA’s Bob Woodward all gave us a valuable reality check, by discussing what’s really on the priority list from an operator’s perspective,” Mr Usher added.

“A huge thank you also to our exhibitors Maha, 3M, Tigerspider and Findlay Import & Trade. Your support goes a long way in allowing us to put on a program of this calibre.

“I’d lastly like to pay tribute to our media partners – Bauer Trader Media, for the great marketing support. Bauer produce ATN and Owner-Driver Magazines, the Fully-Loaded website and many more specialist transport online and print publications.”

Meet Ian Wright

co-founder of Tesla – game changing innovator

Wrightspeed - challenging the status quo

Thursday – 11.00am – 12.30pm

Ian Wright – Wrightspeed

An uncompromising journey to find alternative means to power vehicles and where better to start than the least environmentally friendly sector.
A look at Ian's experiences, how they led to Wrightspeed and where things are likely go from here. Includes casting a bird’s eye view on the current alternate energy development landscape and the likely winners across different sectors.

Lastest News

Ian Wright takes delegates on a wild ride

When one of the world’s leading EV engineers tells you that the fifteen-litre diesel is here to stay – you know you’re in for a ride.
Tesla co-founder Ian Wright has taken a very different direction to his better known former partner Elon Musk. Where Elon has been a dynamic showman espousing a future based entirely on renewables, Ian Wright has been a rather more pragmatic workhorse, and his view of the world is quite compelling.
ComVec delegates were treated to a detailed look at Wright’s work with Wrightspeed on the opening day of the conference held in Melbourne last week.

Tackling the elephant

It has endlessly frustrated users and builders of PBS vehicles, and lively debate at ComVec last week indicates that a resolution to the PBS component substitution issue is far from an easy fix.
Greg Forbes, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia’s (HVIA) Policy and Government Relations Manager, says the calibre of people in room made for a well-informed debate.

Young Professional Urszula Kelly puts safety first

Transport and logistics Young Professional of the Year, Urszula Kelly will talk about adopting new technologies, better training and improving industry image at ComVec 2018. “As a young professional in the industry, I want to see some changes made” Ms Kelly told us.

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Sessions

Modifying Hi Tech Vehicles

With the increasing pace of technological change comes some new challenges for people undertaking vehicle modifications.
Lengthening or shortening of a chassis could have impacts on the calibration of lane departure warning or automated braking systems for example.
Chair person: Paul Caus. HVIA

Purchasing Priorities – the Operator’s Perspective

What is influencing your customer's (or potential customer's) purchasing decisions?
We'll explore their practical views on various policy issues, and what interest they really have in being early adopters of various new technologies.
Join us as we chat to some well known fleet managers and get to the bottom of their views on technology and innovation.
Chair person: Mario Colosimo. HVIA Director

National Approved Vehicle Examiner Scheme

How will the National Approved Vehicle Examiner Scheme work for certifiers and examiners under the Heavy Vehicle National Law?
The NHVR is looking to develop an overarching framework for governing the operation of examiners, certifiers and other 3rd parties that provide similar types of services.
This approach should provide a simpler legislative and regulatory framework. So, will it make it easier to manage? The NHVR thinks so.
Chair person: Paul Caus. HVIA

Melbourne Park Function Centre

In the heart of Melbourne & Olympic Parks complex, alongside the iconic Rod Laver Arena, the Melbourne Park Function Centre is the perfect venue for ComVec delegates to get the most out of your experience with natural light, fresh air and room to move.